WA officials warn of wildfire risks from Fourth of July fireworks
Firefighters and public lands managers are urging Washington residents to use extra caution when setting off fireworks this Fourth of July due to dry conditions. “We’ve already had 600 fires start in Washington” this year, Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove said during a press conference Wednesday. Four hundred of those fires were on state-owned land, he added. “Don’t be an idiot, don’t set our state on fire this weekend, and have a fun, safe Fourth of July,” Upthegrove said. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Getty)
Washington launches new hate crime hotline in Spokane County ahead of statewide launch
The state of Washington has launched a hotline in Spokane County for residents to report hate crimes and incidents of bias. The hotline, launched Tuesday in Spokane, King and Clark counties, is part of a pilot project ahead of a planned launch statewide by January 2027. The nonemergency hotline, which can be reached by calling (855) 225-1010 or visiting atg.wa.gov/report-hate, is staffed with representatives who can help callers find support services and, with consent, report incidents to law enforcement. Continue reading at The Spokesman-Review. (Mitchell Roland)
Seattle Surpasses 800,000 Residents For The First Time, Marking Significant Population Growth
Seattle has officially crossed the 800,000 population milestone for the first time in its history. According to the latest population estimates released by the state Office of Financial Management (OFM) on Friday, Seattle’s population is now estimated at 816,600 residents as of April 1, 2025. This year marks the fifth consecutive year that the city’s growth rate has exceeded 2%, solidifying Seattle’s status as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Continue reading at Seattle Medium. (Seattle Medium)
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WA officials warn of wildfire risks from Fourth of July fireworks
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Broadcast
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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info + holiday previews
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